Colbert Report: Best Videos of the First 1,000 Episodes

The Colbert Report marks its 1,000th episode this week, and Third Beat is celebrating in Colbert-esque big-thinkin’ style by recapping 100 of the show’s best clips of the past 6 1/2 years. We’re looking at the most important and most ridiculous, with and without a point — because nobody says satire always has to have an impact.

Say goodbye to your productivity, America. THIS is a ridiculously ambitious tribute to the Colbert Report.

5) Bill O’Reilly (January 18, 2007) – Bill’s strategy of keeping his punditry at bay during this much-hyped interview culminates in a claim that he’s a really sensitive guy, and “this is all an act”. Stephen quickly retorts with the now-classic line, “but if you’re an act, then what am I?”

4) Ambassador Andrew Young (January 22, 2008) – During the WGA strike, Young lends his labor negotiations expertise. As explained in this video, Young helped settle a 1969 hospital workers strike alongside Stephen’s late father. A great interview made better by this surprise merging of character history and actual history.

3) Amy Sedaris (July 10, 2006) – Strangers With Candy fans rejoiced when Amy was joined by Paul Dinello, and the trio dusted off their tumbling routine from their Second City days.

1) Gorillaz (April 22, 2010) – “Stephen’s” soft-spoken alter ego – clad in Colbert’s real-life street clothes – interviews the real guys behind the fake band. For a show that creates its own rules as it goes, this had even the most laid-back viewers asking “wait… can they do that?”

Best Musical Moments

Stephen proves he isn’t just the voice of truthiness – he can also belt one out with the best of ‘em. Due to music rights issues, Colbertnation.com no longer hosts many of these videos; the links provided below are from various (but safe) sources.

1) Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (December 15, 2009) – Playing off his suggestion in the earlier interview that she include a verse about suburban life, Stephen joins Keys for an adapted version of her hit single. Between the sharp writing, the high energy, and the joy shared by all involved (that band is happy), it was a great way to close out 2009.

Best Looks

Amazing how much Stephen can transform himself just by getting out of the suit.

9) Roman armor (June 7,2007) – Stephen dresses the part to talk about the Roman Empire. Handcrafted by fan Matt Poitras, who was told that Stephen wore the armor around the office for a day and a half.

2) Broccoli/Marshmallow (June 14, 2011) – A handy resource for when you find yourself in a dry discussion about the nuances of modern theatrical clown (and really, who hasn’t been there?). Alternatively, enjoyable as the goofy bit that it is.

9) Crop picking (September 23, 2010)– When Arturo Rodriguez of the United Farm Workers Union offered Stephen the opportunity to work the fields, he became one of the few people ever to say “yes”. Stephen later testified before Congress about this experience.

6) Wriststrong Bracelets (August 20, 2007) – After breaking his wrist, Stephen encourages his audience to snap up his Wriststrong bracelets. They did, and almost five years later, they’re still being given away to lucky audience members.

4) Greenscreen Challenge (August 21, 2006) – When Stephen does a bit infront of a greenscreen, viewers take it upon themselves to work some chroma key magic. The logical way to heighten this? Make it competitive.

2) Operation Iraqi Stephen (June 11, 2009) – When former Assistant Secretary of Defense Bing West put forth the idea in a post-interview chat, Stephen’s instinctually said “yes” and pulled off an ambitious week of shows from one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces.

3) On Letterman… now (June 14, 2006) – Perfect timing: Viewers watching the original airing switched channels right when Stephen snapped his fingers, and watched him walk onto Letterman’s stage. How’d they do that?

So, Colbert Report-savvy folks: what did we miss? Let us know in the comments.

About the Author

Sharilyn Johnson is the author of the book Bears & Balls: The Colbert Report A-Z. Called "one of the city’s most discriminating comedy critics” by NOW Magazine, Sharilyn has been covering comedy for longer than she cares to admit. She served as the comedy reporter for Winnipeg's Uptown Magazine for five years, and was the host of the radio show Laugh Tracks for three seasons. Her work has also appeared in the Toronto Star, the Winnipeg Free Press, The Apiary, and on CBC Radio's national comedy programs LOL and Definitely Not the Opera.